Textiles of Japan
A visual introduction to Japanese textiles, dyeing and weaving techniques.
A vast collection of textiles assembled by textile collector and researcher Thomas Murray. Focusing on dyed and woven fabrics produced between the 18th and 20th centuries, it ranges from northern materials such as attus (bark cloth) and fish-skin robes by the Ainu to southern traditions including Okinawan bingata (stencil dyeing and paste-resist dyeing with bright colours), as well as kasuri (a weaving technique using pre-dyed threads) and bashōfu (a textile made from fibres of the Japanese banana plant). The textiles have been carefully photographed, preserving and conveying designs passed down through generations.
Thomas Murray is a dealer in Asian and tribal art, maintains a personal collection of Japanese and Indonesian textiles and has authored numerous publications.
Virginia Soenksen is Associate Director of the Madison Art Collection at James Madison University in Virginia.
Anna Jackson is Keeper of the Asian Department at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, responsible for the collection of Japanese textiles and dress.
260 × 348 cm
530 pages
